Christina Applegate opens up on the devastating effects of her multiple sclerosis, the disease she was diagnosed with in 2021.
The Married with Children star has admitted that her multiple sclerosis causes severe gastrointestinal problems that result in many trips to the hospital.
“Since I was diagnosed three years ago, I have been hospitalized over 30 times because of vomiting, diarrhea, and severe pain,” Applegate, 53, shared on MesSy, the podcast she co-hosts with fellow MS activist Jamie-Lynn Sigler. “It’s been unbearable.”
Despite having numerous tests, including a record number of CT scans, which put her under high radiation exposure, doctors did not heed her complaints early on. Of course, MS damages mostly the nervous system, but Applegate has been insisting that it goes far beyond that.
“Only recently did I piece this together,” she revealed. “MS can slow organ function, including digestion. If you have MS, talk to your doctor about motility issues-because for me, needing to use the bathroom often triggers vomiting, which then leads to excruciating pain.”
The actress from Dead to Me enters the stage, awaiting a colonoscopy: “I know they think I’m overreacting, but I realized a blatant pattern.”
Still, while she struggles with her health, Applegate does not curb her humor. “Ever vomiter while having diarrhea? Real-life glamour,” she said.
Through her revelations, Applegate believes she will be able to influence the world positively and hopefully push others to be their advocates in health issues.
Never one to shy away from sharing brutal honesty, the Emmy winner offered a pretty gruesome practical advice on dealing with her MS: “Always keep a small trash can next to the toilet,” she darkly advised. “That way you can handle both emergencies simultaneously… cleanly.” You can trust me. I put this system to use just yesterday.”
The anecdote, delivered with her typical gallows humor, highlights how MS has forced Applegate to develop grimly creative solutions to daily struggles that most never consider. Where others may see public humiliation, the actress finds macabre comedy in private struggles meant both for coping and public advocacy.
